Memories of the 28th Century

Politically correct
1. Marked by or adhering to a typically progressive orthodoxy on issues involving especially ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or ecology.
Politically correct
Adjective
demonstrating progressive ideals, esp. by avoiding vocabulary that is considered offensive, discriminatory, or judgmental, esp. concerning race and gender PC
Word Origin and History for politically correct
First attested in prevailing current sense 1970; abbreviation P.C. is from 1986.
[T]here is no doubt that political correctness refers to the political movement and phenomenon, which began in the USA, with the aim to enforce a set of ideologies and views on gender, race and other minorities. Political correctness refers to language and ideas that may cause offence to some identity groups like women and aims at giving preferential treatment to members of those social groups in schools and universities. [Thuy Nguyen, "Political Correctness in the English Language," 2007]
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/pol...ly-correct?s=t

The term was borrowed from Marxist-Leninist parties in the former USSR and its client states. In those parties members agreed with leadership, or they were disciplined. Discipline could range for a verbal reprimand to prison time or even death, depending on the severity of the offenseIn the early-to-mid 20th century, the phrase "politically correct" was associated with the dogmatic application of Stalinist doctrine, debated between Communist Party members and American Socialists. “This usage referred to the Communist party line, which provided for "correct" positions on many political matters. According to American educator Herbert Kohl, writing about debates in New York in the late 1940s and early 1950s,

The term "politically correct" was used disparagingly, to refer to someone whose loyalty to the CP line overrode compassion, and led to bad politics. It was used by Socialists against Communists, and was meant to separate out Socialists who believed in egalitarian moral ideas from dogmatic Communists who would advocate and defend party positions regardless of their moral substance. Kohl, Herbert (1992). "Uncommon Differences: On Political Correctness, Core Curriculum and Democracy in Education". The Lion and the Unicorn. 16 (1): 1–16. doi:10.1353/uni.0.0216.

In March 1968, the French philosopher Michel Foucault is quoted as saying: "a political thought can be politically correct ('politiquement correcte') only if it is scientifically painstaking", referring to leftist intellectuals attempting to make Marxism scientifically rigorous rather than relying on orthodoxy. Foucault, Michel (March 1968). "Foucault répond à Sartre". La Quinzaine littéraire (46). Retrieved 23 July 2016. «

I hadn’t thought much about political correctness for years, but it recently came up on Facebook. I don’t recall when I first encountered that term, but it was in the early 1970’s, when I was acquainted with Marxist-Leninists. My initial reaction to the term was wondering whose politics defined what was correct; I was not a Marxist-Leninist or of any other political party. By the time the term became popular a few years later, I was making it a habit to ask “By whose politics?” when someone used that term. I was and remain unwilling to accept the judgments of the thought police; although the doctrinaire leftists were more willing to believe that their leaders might be right. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_discipline

It was the lefties who used the term exclusively. Right wingers understood that they were in no position to define what was correct, because that was the responsibility of the Gods and individual consciences. During that period, the term meant whether one’s thoughts were acceptable to the leftists and nothing more. There was no attempt to prove that some ideas were more accurate, reasonable, or anything than others. I didn’t worry about the term then, because I felt confident enough in my opinions, and I knew the lefties had good reasons for leaving the corks in place.

In more recent times political correctness may have become more dangerous, because laws, regulations, and scientific careers are being set up by whether someone is adequately politically correct. In recent decades political ideas have become more like religious dogma, and religious dogma can be defined and enforced within that religion. Here in the U.S.A. there is little political compromise, because one does not compromise religious truths. This has become a problem with respect to national security, some defense issues, and some environmental issues. The lesser matters of political correctness, such as being polite to others are small matters. The definers of political truths require that people obey them with respect to the major issues, and one test issue is climate change. Other black and white issues involve gay marriage and gender issues. And there are many words that were introduced to avoid a matter or to create a new euphemism; one such new euphemism is “pedophile”, which replaced the perfectly good euphemism “pederast”; both words mean child rapist. Then there were a number of words created with “phobe” as the ending. Phobe is from Greek meaning fear, when the feelings involved are not fear at all. There probably are people who fear homosexuals, but I don’t think I have ever met any; although I have met a number of people who find homosexuals disgusting, but the word ”mishomosexual” has not become popular, even though it would be apt in many cases.

It appears that I was mistaken about race not being a relevant issue. I did a little research into political correctness and sensitivity to skin color is one of the matters listed. Apparently many people haven’t learned that there are no races of humans. We should improve education.

Then there was the attempt to change how people spoke of sexual matters by substituting the word "gender" for "sex". The change in terms was intended to change how people think about sexual preference, sexual orientation, and so on. Now those were gender issues, and sex was off the table. It didn't work, but people use odd phrasing to describe things that are quite straightforward.

Then there was the matter of insensitivity toward religious beliefs, especially with respect to marriage among homosexuals. The doctrinaire leftists insisted that it is wrong to hold religious beliefs that don’t include marriages among homosexuals, even though freedom of religion is protected in the U.S.A. But the enforcers of political correctness appear to be atheists.

In earlier times, it was much easier to have a disagreement; you’d just end up an argument with “You’re wrong, and your attempt at an argument shows that.” Then you’d walk away. The other person could fantasize that he was actually right, but there was no political committee that enforced opinions.

In fact, there is no political committee that enforces political thought, nor is there any authority that could fill that role. We should accept that opinions vary, and opinions cannot, by their natures, be wrong. It is valid to disagree with opinions, if you wish to. Opinions can be based on erroneous data or flawed reasoning, and sometimes it is worthwhile to point out such errors in logic, but many opinions are essentially religious in nature, and religions are true, regardless of actual facts. It is rather impolite to assert that the religion of someone else is wrong.

How we should treat religious opinions that are applied to other matters is a rather ticklish matter, because a clumsy job could cause great anger. But it is not good to have religious opinions put into laws, as has happened many times. For example, marriage is a religious and personal matter; it should be left to religions and individuals, rather than being made a matter of law. As long as things remain outside the realm of religion, it is easy to tell someone that he is full of fecal matter, but in religious matters that could result in you losing your head.

The general advice on the matter might be: Just because you are right is no reason to expect everyone (or anyone) to agree with you.

Please feel free to point out how wrong I am. I encourage such comments. It doesn't bother me if people disagree with me.